The sciences of the pet food market drive innovation in food, nutrition and health. As an industry we expect these discoveries to be carefully and proactively researched while building consensus as much as possible. Nutritional change that impacts the feeding and health of pets should never be driven by unchallenged opinion, but driven by proven, tested science. Over the last few years, the industry has reacted to strong scientific voices that have impacted social media, consumer groups, regulatory and nutritional confidence.
Historically, the pet food market has benefited from rigorous scientific achievements in taurine, urinary stones, L-carnitine, fiber and hairballs, omega fatty acids, dental research and calcium nutriture in large breed dogs. Diligent and proactive research teams came together from business, university and government to cohesively develop nutrient requirement references and nutrient profiles (1985, 1986, 1996, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2016), building confidence in basic claims like “complete and balanced” and “nutritious.” We have watched our pets live longer and healthier lives.
